SPARTANS OFFENSE <\/p>\n
WR\u201413 Cooper Hoch 6-3 230 Jr. <\/p>\n
WR\u20140 Jordan Anderson 5-11 170 Fr. <\/p>\n
WR\u20141 Carson Clark 5-9 170 Fr. <\/p>\n
TE\u201483 K. Kopa-Kaawalauole 6-4 225 Jr. <\/p>\n
LT\u201456 Simeon Afalava 6-3 285 Sr. <\/p>\n
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LG\u201472 Lavaka Taukeiaho 6-2 320 Sr. <\/p>\n
C\u201475 Joseph Harbert 6-3 290 Sr. <\/p>\n
RG\u201462 Tyler Chen 6-2 280 Jr. <\/p>\n
RT\u201476 Manuel Serna 6-5 295 So. <\/p>\n
QB\u20143 Luke Weaver 6-3 210 Sr. <\/p>\n
RB\u20146 Jabari Bates 5-7 180 Sr. <\/p>\n
Like Dr. Frankenstein, offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann took parts from here and there to create a monster \u2014 the spread-and-shred. Stutzmann, who was reared in the run-and-shoot as a Saint Louis School and UH receiver, added the run-pass option during his coaching stint at Emory & Henry. After joining Nick Rolovich\u2019s UH staff in 2016, Stutzmann began integrating RPOs into the Warriors\u2019 base run-and-shoot. Stutzmann and Rolovich took the hybrid scheme to Washington State in 2020. Even if the spread-and-shred sputters occasionally, Stutzmann said there\u2019s no pressure \u201cto make it work, because it does work.\u201d The scheme stretches defenses with vertical routes. If defenses expand the mid-to-deep coverages, thinning the tackle box, the Spartans can activate the run game. The deceptiveness of the RPO keeps defenses guessing whether the QB will hand off, keep it or throw. SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who ran the triple option for decades, has shared run-blocking techniques with Stutzmann and O-line coach Ramsen Golpashin. Luke Weaver, who was 2-0 as a UH starter last year and threw the winning TD pass in the 2025 Hawaii Bowl, has made an easy transition to the Spartans\u2019 offense. His run-and-shoot experience at UH has been helpful in adapting to Stutzmann\u2019s way of deciphering defenses. He was named an offensive captain. Stutzmann acknowledged his offense works best with an effective run game, which was askew the past couple of years. But the answer came from the roster, with a sixth-year Spartan, Jabari Bates, fully healthy this season. At 5-7 and 180 pounds, Bates is a fearless rusher (5.3 yards per run between the guards) with speed (10.68 seconds over 100 meters) and grit (blocks inside blitzes). He\u2019s the league\u2019s top rusher at 103.3 yards per game. But the Spartans have produced only one rushing TD \u2014 by Weaver \u2014 this season.<\/p>\n
SPARTANS DEFENSE <\/p>\n
DE\u201445 Jeremiah Tuiileila 6-3 255 Fr. <\/p>\n
NG\u201451 Solomone Langi 6-0 295 Sr. <\/p>\n
DE\u201457 Justin Stearns 6-2 250 Sr. <\/p>\n
LB\u20146 Ethan Powell 6-2 230 Sr. <\/p>\n
LB\u20143 Naseri Danielson 6-0 220 Jr. <\/p>\n
LB\u20144 Dylan Lee 6-1 230 Jr. <\/p>\n
LB\u20147 Aizik Mahuka 6-3 225 Jr. <\/p>\n
CB\u201414 Jayden Robertson 5-11 170 Jr. <\/p>\n
FS\u201439 Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa 5-10 200 So. <\/p>\n
SS\u20141 Brian Dukes 6-3 215 Sr. <\/p>\n
CB\u201432 Caleb Womack 5-10 180 Sr. <\/p>\n
After allowing an average of 36.75 points during a four-game losing streak to close last season, the defense underwent a managerial makeover. Bojay Filimoeatu replaced Derrick Odum as defensive coordinator. Former UH defensive back Brian Norwood was hired from TCU as defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. Filimoeatu added wrinkles to Odum\u2019s 3-4 base. Expanding the odd front, linebackers Ethan Powell Aizik Mahuka can set up as rush ends. There also is a four-man set across the guards and tackles. The point defender of the three-man front is 6-foot, 290-pound nose Solomone Langi, who has mastered the bull rush and angle drive. A pet move is for Langi to push back a blocker, then peel to the edge. In an even front, a 3-tech tackle will cross over and take on a double block from the right guard and right tackle, clearing a diagonol path for D-end Jeremiah Tuiileila to storm the backfield. Tuiileila and D-end Justin Stearns each have 3.5 tackles for loss and six hurries. Linebacker Dylan Lee, who has a team-high 35 tackles, sometimes aligns as a stand-up nose. As the son of real-estate agents, Powell is all about locations. With his speed (10.7 seconds over 100 meters), Powell is used as a pass rusher and in pass coverage. Kahuku alumnus Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa\u2019s latest move might be his best. He grew up on Oahu but moved in with his uncle Galu Tagovailoa (Tua\u2019s dad) in Alabama during the pandemic. He moved back to Oahu as a sophomore, where he attended Kapolei High for two years before playing his senior year at Kahuku. Recruited to SJSU as a receiver, he moved to safety in January. He often aligns 15 yards off the ball, in a single-high coverage but sprints forward for sure tackles. \u201cWhen you focus on what you\u2019re supposed to see \u2014 the hips \u2014 it really slows down everything,\u201d Tagovailoa-Amosa said.<\/p>\n
SPARTANS SPECIALISTS <\/p>\n
KO\u201499 Mathias Brown 6-0 170 Jr. <\/p>\n
PK\u201436 Trajan Sinatra 5-11 190 Jr. <\/p>\n
LS\u201444 Dylan Aguilera 5-10 210 Sr. <\/p>\n
P\/H\u201449 Trent Carrizosa 6-4 235 Sr. <\/p>\n
KR\u20144 Dominique McKenzie 5-11 180 So. <\/p>\n
PR\u201410 Anthony Ivey 5-11 190 Sr. <\/p>\n
The reward for setting Idaho State\u2019s scoring record (97 points) last year was a return trip to his hometown. Sinatra transferred to SJSU in January, won the starting kicker\u2019s job, and has connected on seven of nine in four games. Trent Carrizosa, also from San Jose, is a team captain who averages 42.7 yards a punt. The top returners are transfers \u2014 Dominique McKenzie from BYU, Isaiah Carlson from UCLA, and Anthony Ivey from Penn State.<\/p>\n
RAINBOW WARRIORS OFFENSE <\/p>\n
LWO\u201411 Devin Alves 6-3 195 Sr. <\/p>\n
SB\u20148 Tama Uiliata 5-11 195 So. <\/p>\n
LT\u201452 Dean Briski 6-5 305 Sr. <\/p>\n
LG\u201473 Lipe Moala 6-6 345 Jr. <\/p>\n
C\u201457 Ethan Spencer 6-2 300 Sr. <\/p>\n
RG\u201458 Denaris DeRosa Jr. 6-3 285 Sr. <\/p>\n
RT\u201477 Uluaki Taukiuvea 6-5 300 Fr. <\/p>\n
SB\u20146 Kaikai Carvalho 5-6 165 Fr. <\/p>\n
RWO\u20143 Carson Brown 6-2 200 Sr. <\/p>\n
QB\u201412 Micah Alejado 5-10 180 So. <\/p>\n
RB\u2014DeVon Rice 5-9 180 So. <\/p>\n
Since June Jones implemented his version of the four-wide offense in 1999, the slots have been targeted the most. As part of the evolution, tight ends were added \u2014 mostly as check-down receivers and not the hybrid blocker\/ receiver most offenses now employ. But in every UH offense the past three decades, there always were speedy wideouts to take the top off the defense. This season, the Warriors have not developed deep consistency. Last season, Micah Alejado completed 35% of deep passes (airborne for at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage); this year, the deep connections are down to 18.8%. Departures (Jackson Harris, Brandon White), injuries (Robert Haynes, Tre\u2019 Griffiths, Audric Harris) and umbrella coverages have narrowed the long-ball options. Stanford and Wyoming showed pre-snap man coverages on the wideouts, then sent DBs and nickels into the deep routes. \u201cThere\u2019s a difference when you say you\u2019re playing a man but there are a bunch of (defenders) in the man lanes,\u201d receivers coach Jared Ursua said. \u201cThere\u2019s a connectivity that\u2019s needed that we have not established yet.\u201d In practices this week, wideouts Carson Brown and Devin Alves have worked on creating separation from clingy corners. \u201cIt\u2019s starting to come along,\u201d said Alves, who has been GPS-clocked at 21.6 mph. Alves\u2019 background as a high school quarterback is helping in understanding route concepts. The Warriors also are tinkering with the pass protection. Dean Briski has moved back from right tackle to the left side, where he played last season. San Jose State transfer Denaris DeRosa has healed from a labrum injury suffered in the spring game to claim the right guard\u2019s spot. DeRosa spends hours each week studying videos. \u201cThere\u2019s always someone faster than you and stronger than you,\u201d DeRosa said. \u201cI want to control what I can control. Putting in the work with film and getting treatment, those are things in my control.\u201d Uluaki Taukiuvea brings athleticism as back-side protector for left-handed Alejado. \u201cAll the coaching points that have been taught have been applied (by Taukiuvea),\u201d O-line coach Derek Fa\u2018avi said. DeRosa has not relinquished a sack in 95 plays and Taukiuvea in 60.<\/p>\n
RAINBOW WARRIORS DEFENSE <\/p>\n
DE\u201451 Lester Lagafuaina 6-4 245 Sr. <\/p>\n
NT\u201499 Ozzy Pollard 6-4 300 So. <\/p>\n
3T\u201495 Geoffrey Speight 6-1 280 Sr. <\/p>\n
DE\u201491 Josh Sagapolutele 6-0 255 Jr. <\/p>\n
MLB\u201412 Wynden Ho\u2018ohuli 6-3 240 Sr. <\/p>\n
DLB\u201411 Jamih Otis 5-11 220 Sr. <\/p>\n
NB\u20144 Elijah Palmer 5-8 185 Sr. <\/p>\n
CB\u20140 Jeremiah Hughes 6-0 180 Jr. <\/p>\n
S\u20142 Kona Moore 6-0 190 Jr. <\/p>\n
S\u201425 Matagi Thompson 6-2 190 Sr. <\/p>\n
CB\u20145 Jaylon Edmond 5-10 170 So. <\/p>\n
The overall good defensive effort has been hindered by a lack of big plays. The Warriors have managed two picks and a fumble recovery in 45 drives. Opponents are averaging 7.48 yards on first down (5.90 on rushes), converting 45.28% on third down, and scoring at 85.71% in the red zone. The Warriors have had to overcome injuries while rebuilding the interior line and secondary. A federal judge did not make it a priority to rule on the eligibility of cornerback Caleb \u201cC-Bo\u201d Brown. But rush end Lester Lagafuaina has recovered from a shoulder injury and was impactful in last week\u2019s game against Wyoming. After two injury-filled seasons, safety Kona Moore leads with 33 tackles. And dime linebacker Jamih Otis, who was limited to one series last week after suffering a rib ailment, was not listed on the preliminary injury report. Mike linebacker Wynden Ho\u2018ohulil and Otis, who traded positions, have excelled in stabilizing the 4-2-5 defense. They also have served as mentors to linebacker understudies Matteus Ioane and Aisiah \u201cScoob\u201d Paogofie. As Otis\u2019 injury replacement, the 6-2, 225-pound Ioane played 41 snaps last week, exceeding his previous high of nine. \u201cHe\u2019s a guy who said from the start: \u2018All I need is an opportunity,\u201d recalled associate head coach Chris Brown, who coaches the linebackers. Ahead of signing day on Feb. 7, 2024, Brown lobbied to make a gray-shirt offer to Ioane, an unheralded Leilehua linebacker. \u201cYou watch him on film, he\u2019s violent,\u201d Brown recalled. \u201cI said, \u2018That\u2019s the kind of guy I want. I want a violent guy.\u2019 I\u2019d rather have a player who plays with too much fire than a guy I\u2019d have to start the fire.\u201d In making the offer, Brown extended his hand. Ioane gave him a hug. \u201cHe was the only guy who gave me an opportunity,\u201d Ioane said. \u201cHe was the only guy believed in me. I felt a hug fit the situation better.\u201d <\/p>\n
RAINBOW WARRIORS SPECIALISTS <\/p>\n
PK\/KO\u201498 Sean Olvera-Harle 6-0 205 Sr. <\/p>\n
LS\u201433 Jack Mowrey 6-3 240 Jr. <\/p>\n
P\/H\u201447 Gehrig Heil 6-1 195 Fr. <\/p>\n
KR\u201422 Titan Lacaden 5-6 175 Fr. <\/p>\n
PR\u20148 Tama Uiliata 5-11 195 So. <\/p>\n
For all the unique problems on special teams, ball security has not been one of them. Tama Uiliata has fielded 13 punts \u2014 eight fair catches, five returns \u2014 without a muff. Titan Lacaden is averaging 41.5 yards on two kickoff returns. The Warriors should receive a boost in field position with the return to Ching field, where they have figured out the impact of the northeasterly winds, especially in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SPARTANS OFFENSE WR\u201413 Cooper Hoch 6-3 230 Jr. WR\u20140 Jordan Anderson 5-11 170 Fr. WR\u20141 Carson Clark 5-9…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":482704,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[14596,88,90,89],"class_list":["post-482703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-jose","tag-editors","tag-san-jose","tag-san-jose-headlines","tag-san-jose-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=482703"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482703\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/482704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=482703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=482703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=482703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}